Is the pressure-treated wood used for decks, picnic tables and backyard play structures harmful to human health?
–Christy Silver, Cleveland, OH Pressure-treated wood contains the preservative chromated copper arsenate (CCA), an arsenic derivative that is used to protect the wood and prolong its life. Also used commercially as a pesticide, CCA is regarded by many homeowners and construction professionals as a godsend for preserving outdoor wood structures against harsh weather and termites. But it is also on environmentalists watch lists as a potential health hazard due to its arsenic content. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), arsenic, although a naturally occurring element found in the Earths crust, is poisonous. Prolonged exposure can cause vomiting, diarrhea and skin abnormalities. The EPA also considers arsenic to be a human carcinogen, with long-term exposure increasing the risk of skin cancer and tumors of the bladder, kidney, liver and lung. Recent studies have shown that rainwater can release arsenic-laden CCA from the treated wood, potentially contaminating any s
Related Questions
- Does treated wood used in above ground applications such as play structures and fences dislodge more preservative when it is wet, such as after a rainfall?
- Is the pressure-treated wood used for decks, picnic tables and backyard play structures harmful to human health?
- What preservative is used to protect our pressure-treated wood post caps?
